Hydrodynamic torque converter

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a hydrodynamic torque converter with a housing which comprises a wall which is on the driving side, where a connecting plate is fastened to the housing wall and comprises several mounting locations for connecting the torque converter to a drive unit, the mounting locations being distributed over the circumference of the connecting plate and in the mounted state of the torque converter being fastened at corresponding mounting locations of the drive unit. In order to provide a hydrodynamic torque converter which can be produced economically and has a long service lifetime, for each two mounting locations the connecting plate comprises, between them in the circumferential direction, a fastening area with which the connecting plate is fastened to the housing wall which is on the driving side.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application Claims priority of German Patent Application No.10 2005 047 108.0, filed on Sep.30, 2005, which application isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a hydrodynamic torque converter with a housingwhich comprises a wall which is on the driving side, where a connectingplate is fastened to the housing wall and comprises several mountinglocations for connecting the torque converter to a drive unit, themounting locations being distributed over the circumference of theconnecting plate and in the mounted state of the torque converter beingfastened at corresponding mounting locations of the drive unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In traditional hydrodynamic torque converters, as are known, forexample, from the German Patent Specification DE 38 23 210 C2, theconnecting plate has essentially the structure of a circular annulardisk comprising several mounting locations, the circular annular diskbeing welded, both radially outwards and radially inwards, to thehousing wall which is on the driving side.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the objective of the invention to provide a hydrodynamic torqueconverter according to the preamble of claim 1 which can be producedeconomically and has a long service lifetime.

In a hydrodynamic torque converter with a housing which comprises a wallwhich is on the driving side, where a connecting plate is fastened tothe housing wall and comprises several mounting locations for connectingthe torque converter to a drive unit, the mounting locations beingdistributed over the circumference of the connecting plate and in themounted state of the torque converter being fastened at correspondingmounting locations of the drive unit, the objective is realized by thefact that, for each two mounting locations the connecting platecomprises, between them in the circumferential direction, a fasteningarea with which the connecting plate is fastened to the housing wallwhich is on the driving side. Due to the fastening areas disposedbetween each two mounting locations, the connecting plate's rigidity inthe circumferential direction in the mounted state is clearly increasedwith respect to traditional torque converters.

In a preferred embodiment example of the torque converter ischaracterized by the fact that the mounting locations each comprise atleast one mounting surface, the mounting surface being spaced from thehousing wall which is on the driving side and extending radiallyoutwards from a connecting annular disk. This offers the advantage thatthe intermediate space, which is present in the axial direction betweenthe mounting surface, or the part of the connecting plate with themounting surface, and the housing wall, which is on the driving side, isaccessible radially outwards.

An additional preferred embodiment example of the torque converter ischaracterized by the fact that two preferably oblique cupping surfacesrun out from the mounting surface laterally in the circumferentialdirection, the cupping surfaces each becoming a fastening flange andextending, in the circumferential direction, between two mountingsurfaces. The fastening flange serves to fasten the connecting plate tothe housing wall which is on the driving side, the fastening being, inthe circumferential direction, between the mounting locations. Theconnecting plate's rigidity in the circumferential direction isincreased by the cupping surfaces, which can also be formed so as to becurved.

An additional preferred embodiment example of the torque converter ischaracterized by the fact that radially outwards the fastening flange iswelded to the housing wall which is on the driving side. The weld seamruns, in the circumferential direction, between the mounting locationsand is interrupted in the area of the mounting locations.

An additional preferred embodiment example of the torque converter ischaracterized by the fact that the fastening flange is connected byrivets to the housing wall which is on the driving side. Preferably,riveted studs are set out from the housing wall which is on the drivingside, the riveted studs serving not only to fasten the connecting platebut rather also to center the connecting plate during mounting.

An additional preferred embodiment example of the torque converter ischaracterized by the fact that the connecting plate is spaced in theaxial direction from the housing wall which is on the driving side. Theconnecting plate's essentially cup-shaped form resulting therefrom hasproven itself particularly advantageous in the framework of the presentinvention.

An additional preferred embodiment example of the torque converter ischaracterized by the fact that the connecting annular disk is connectedas one piece to the fastening flange by an additional cupping surface.Preferably, the additional cupping surface extends obliquely from theinside outwards in the radial direction.

An additional preferred embodiment example of the torque converter ischaracterized by the fact that radially inwards the connecting annulardisk is welded to the housing wall which is on the driving side. Theweld seam is preferably formed so as to be continuous but can also beinterrupted.

An additional preferred embodiment example of the torque converter ischaracterized by the fact that the connecting annular disk is connectedby rivets to the housing wall which is on the driving side. Preferably,riveted studs are set out from the housing wall which is on the drivingside, the riveted studs serving not only to fasten the connecting platebut rather also to center the connecting plate during mounting.

An additional preferred embodiment example of the torque converter ischaracterized by the fact that between the mounting surface and thehousing wall which is on the driving side a nut is fastened to theconnecting plate. Preferably, the connection of the nut will alreadyhave been done before the mounting of the connecting plate on thehousing wall, which is on the driving side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional advantages, features, and details of the invention followfrom the following description, in which different embodiment examplesare described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition,each of the features mentioned in the claims and in the description canbe significant for the invention, by itself alone or in any combinationwith the others. Shown are:

FIG. 1 a perspective representation of a torque converter according tothe invention,

FIG. 2 the view of a half section along the line II-II in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 a sectional view similar to that in FIG. 2 and according to asecond embodiment example, and

FIG. 4 a sectional view similar to that in FIG. 2 and according to athird embodiment example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1 a hydrodynamic torque converter 1 with an axis or rotation 3is represented in perspective. The torque converter 1 has a housing 2with a wall 4, which is on the driving side and a wall, which is on thedriven side. The phrases“on the driving side” and“on the driven side”relate to an internal combustion engine which forms the drive mechanismin the drive train of a motor vehicle and which is disposed in FIG. 1 onone side of the torque converter 1, specifically the side facing theobserver. The housing wall 4, which is on the driving side, isconnected, in such a manner that it is fixed against rotation, to adrive shaft (not represented), in particular a crankshaft, of theinternal combustion engine. The housing wall, which is on the drivenside, is combined in one structural unit with a pump wheel of thehydrodynamic torque converter 1.

Between the pump wheel and the housing wall 4 which is on the drivingside a turbine wheel is disposed in a known manner, the turbine wheelbeing connected in the direction radially inwards to an input shaft of atransmission in such a manner that it is fixed against rotation. Betweenthe turbine wheel and the pump wheel a stator can be disposed. Thedesign and function of a hydrodynamic torque converter are assumed to beknown and thus not explained further in the following.

In a connecting plate 5, which comprises a connecting annular disk 6, isfastened to the housing wall 4, which is on the driving side. Theconnecting annular disk 6 has the form of a circular annular disk with aradially inner circumferential edge 8, which is bent toward the housingwall 4, which is on the driving side. Radially outwards, the connectingannular disk 6 comprises an outer circumferential edge 9 from whichthree mounting surfaces 11, 12, and 13 extend radially outwards. Thethree mounting surfaces 11, 12, and 13 are distributed uniformly overthe circumference of the connecting annular disk 6.

The mounting surfaces 11 to 13 are each formed so as to be essentiallyrectangular and each comprise a through hole, of which through holesonly the through hole 14 in the mounting surface 13 is provided with areference number. In the axial direction, that is, in the direction ofthe axis of rotation 3, the mounting surface 13 is spaced from thehousing wall 4, which is on the driving side. In the intermediate spacebetween the mounting surface 13 and the housing wall 4, which is on thedriving side a nut 15, is fastened to the underside of the mountingsurface 13. The nut 15 serves to receive a shaft of a screw, with whoseaid a corresponding mounting surface of the drive unit can be fastenedto the mounting surface 13 of the torque converter 1.

Seen in the circumferential direction, two cupping surfaces 17, 18 runout laterally from the fastening surface 13 and extend up to the housingwall 4 which is on the driving side. The angles made by the cuppingsurfaces 17, 18 and the fastening surface 13 are preferably greater than90° but less than 180°. Preferably, the angles lie in the range of 120°to 160°. The mounting surfaces 11, 12 are formed in the same manner asthe mounting surface 13. Thus, two cupping surfaces 19, 20 also extendfrom the mounting surface 11 to the housing wall 4, which is on thedriving side. The cupping surface 17, which runs out from the fasteningsurface 13, and the cupping surface 20, which runs out from the mountingsurface 11, are connected as one piece to the fastening flange 22 which,between the mounting surfaces 11, 13, abuts the housing wall 4 which ison the driving side. Radially outwards, the fastening flange 22comprises an edge area 23, which according to one embodiment example ofthe present invention is welded to the housing wall 4, which is on thedriving side. Alternatively or in addition, the fastening flange 22 canbe connected at fastening points 24, 25 by fastening means such asrivets or by welding as one piece to the housing wall 4 which is on thedriving side. Radially inwards, the fastening flange 22 comprises anedge area 26 at which the fastening flange 22 is connected as one pieceto a cupping surface 30. The cupping surface 30 extends from thefastening flange 22 to the radially outer circumferential edge 9 of theconnecting annular disk 6 and is connected as one piece to it. Thecupping surface 30 extends, in the circumferential direction, betweenthe cupping surfaces 17 and 20. The connecting plate 5 is formed betweenthe mounting surfaces 11, 12 and 12, 13 just as between the mountingsurfaces 13, 11.

Between the mounting surfaces 12 and 13 a fastening flange 32 extendswhich abuts the housing wall 4, which is on the driving side, just asthe fastening flange 22 does. The fastening flange 32 comprises aradially outer edge area 33 at which the fastening flange 32 can bewelded to the housing wall 4, which is on the driving side. Moreover, atthe fastening flange 32 additional connection points 34 and 35 areindicated. Furthermore, the fastening flange 32 comprises a radiallyinner edge area 36, which is connected as one piece to the connectingannular disk 6 by a cup surface 37. In the area of the mounting surface12 a partial circle 38 is indicated on which the through hole in themounting surface 12 is disposed. The partial circle 38 has approximatelythe same diameter as the radially outer edge area 33 of the fasteningflange 32.

In FIG. 2 the view of a section along the line II-II in FIG. 1 isrepresented. In the sectional view one sees that at the connection point34 a riveted stud 40 stands out from the housing wall 4 which is on thedriving side, the riveted stud extending through a corresponding throughhole in the fastening flange 32. The riveted stud 40 and at least one(not represented in the section) additional riveted stud serves tofasten the fastening flange 32 to the housing wall 4 which is on thedriving side. Radially inwards, the connecting plate 5 is welded at theinner circumferential edge 8 of the connecting annular disk 6 to thehousing wall 4, which is on the driving side.

In the embodiment example represented in FIG. 3 not only the radiallyinner circumferential edge 8 of the connecting annular disk 6 but ratheralso the radially outer edge area 33 of the fastening flange 32 arewelded to the housing wall 4 which is on the driving side, as isindicated by a weld seam 44.

In the embodiment example represented in FIG. 4 in comparison to theembodiment example represented in FIG. 2 not only the fastening flange32 but rather also the connecting annular disk 6 is welded [sic] in thevicinity of its radially inner circumferential edge 8 to the housingwall 4 which is on the driving side, as is indicated by a riveted stud48.

Through the cupping, in the circumferential direction, between themounting surfaces a clear increase in rigidity in the connecting platecan be achieved. The cupping is preferably implemented as a bevel. Therealization according to the invention has with respect to completelyclosed and cupped connecting plates a lower weight and a lower massmoment of inertia. The embodiment examples represented in FIGS. 2 and 4with a rivet connection between the connecting plate and the housingwall which is on the driving side offer additional advantages since theriveted studs set out from the housing wall which is on the driving sideaccording to one aspect of the present invention serve to center theconnecting plate. The connection of the nut will preferably already havebeen done before the mounting of the connecting plate since therealization according to the invention has less weld distortion than inthe case of traditional realizations. Due to the lesser weld distortionthe thickness of the connecting plate can also be reduced.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   1 Torque converter-   2 Housing-   3 Axis of rotation-   4 Housing wall, which is on the driving side-   5 Connecting plate-   6 Connecting annular disk-   8 Radially inner circumferential edge-   9 Radially outer circumferential edge-   11 Mounting surface-   12 Mounting surface-   13 Mounting surface-   14 Through hole-   15 Nut-   17 Cupping surface-   18 Cupping surface-   19 Cupping surface-   20 Cupping surface-   22 Fastening flange-   23 Radially outer edge area-   24 Connection point-   25 Connection point-   26 Radially inner edge area-   30 Cupping surface-   32 Fastening flange-   33 Radially outer edge area-   34 Connection point-   35 Connection point-   36 Radially inner edge area-   37 Cupping surface-   38 Partial circle-   40 Riveted stud-   44 Weld seam-   48 Riveted stud

1. Hydrodynamic torque converter with a housing (2) which comprises awall (4) which is on the driving side, where a connecting plate (5) isfastened to the housing wall and comprises several mounting locations(11, 12, 13) for connecting the torque converter (1) to a drive unit,the mounting locations being distributed over the circumference of theconnecting plate (5) and in the mounted state of the torque converter(1) being fastened at corresponding mounting locations of the driveunit, characterized by the fact that for each two mounting locations(11, 12, 13) the connecting plate (5) comprises, between them in thecircumferential direction, a fastening area (22, 32) with which theconnecting plate (5) is fastened to the housing wall (4) which is on thedriving side.
 2. Hydrodynamic torque converter according to claim 1,characterized by the fact that the mounting locations each comprise atleast one mounting surface (11, 12, 13), the mounting surface beingspaced from the housing wall (4) which is on the driving side andextending radially outwards from a connecting annular disk (6). 3.Hydrodynamic torque converter according to claim 2, characterized by thefact that two preferably oblique cupping surfaces (17, 18, 19, 20) runout from the fastening surface (11, 12, 13) laterally in thecircumferential direction, the cupping surfaces each becoming afastening flange (22, 32) and extending, in the circumferentialdirection, between two mounting surfaces (11, 12, 13).
 4. Hydrodynamictorque converter according to claim 3, characterized by the fact thatradially outwards the fastening flange (22, 32) is welded to the housingwall (4) which is on the driving side.
 5. Hydrodynamic torque converteraccording to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the fasteningflange (22, 32) is connected by rivets to the housing wall (4) which ison the driving side.
 6. Hydrodynamic torque converter according to oneof the claims 2 to 5, characterized by the fact that the connectingplate (6) is spaced in the axial direction from the housing wall (4)which is on the driving side.
 7. Hydrodynamic torque converter accordingto one of the claims 2 to 6, characterized by the fact that theconnecting annular disk (6) is connected as one piece to the fasteningflange (22, 32) by an additional cupping surface (30, 37). 8.Hydrodynamic torque converter according to claim 6 or 7, characterizedby the fact that radially inwards the connecting annular disk (6) iswelded to the housing wall (4) which is on the driving side. 9.Hydrodynamic torque converter according to claim 6 or 7, characterizedby the fact that the connecting annular disk (6) is connected by rivetsto the housing wall (4) which is on the driving side.
 10. Hydrodynamictorque converter according to one of the claims 2 to 9, characterized bythe fact that between the mounting surface (11, 12, 13) and the housingwall (4) which is on the driving side a nut is fastened to theconnecting plate (5).